Homeschool History - What Is Homeschool?

What is homeschooling? It's home education, a method of teaching that's conducted in the family home instead of a public, charter, or private school. Before we had anything like public education, everyone was schooled at home.

Occasionally there were also small community centers for learning. Homeschool history is varied and rich, since it was the first tool of instruction.

It was usually the advantaged children who received any sort of education or had private tutors. Most of them came from rich families.

The only real way to get an education was in an informal home setting. The parents were usually the main providers of education, but sometimes there were local teachers who would lend a hand.

It is widely known that before we had public education, the United States experienced its peak literacy rate. It's important to remember this point in homeschool history.

In the 1800s, education and schooling were starting to undergo a lot of important changes. One of the biggest changes was the introduction of laws that made school attendance mandatory. The government decreed that it is a human right for children to receive a public education.

Since that time there has been plenty of debate about the success of public schooling. Many people have gone so far as to say that the current education system is harming younger children, especially boys since they mature at a slower rate.

Studies have been conducted to study the effects of formal education on children between the ages of eight and twelve.

The findings of this research showed that formal schooling was both mentally and physically damaging to children. At times, the negative environment produced behavior problems.

These studies were conducted in the 1970s, and according to these tests, tribal mothers in Africa with no literacy were able to bring up their children to be more emotionally and socially advanced than Western children.

The conclusion was that this emotional advancement was largely due to the bond that exists between parents and children. The bond is weakened with formal education.

Homeschool history shows a positive trend, and parents follow it by choosing a variety of curricula and teaching methods for their children. Although schooling can be done in a secure home environment, it's usually mandatory for children to complete required tests.

Most parents who decide to homeschool their children do it because they want their children to have the best education possible.

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Character Education - Do You Have What It Takes To Make Your Dreams Come True?

It has happened to all of us. Something we have always dreamed of is about to happen. We get excited about this project, and start making plans for the next steps to take. In our mind we are already basking in the light of victory and accomplishment.

Then all hell breaks lose. Things start going wrong, and obstacles we had never thought of start showing up at the turning of every corner.

Finally the whole endeavor, which we had started out with such high expectations, is about to collapse under the weight of all the opposition we encounter.

When you start a new project or step out in faith to do something new, there will always be something that will try to get in your way. If you don't resolve to be rock-solid firm, it won't be long until you throw in the towel and give up.

There is an attitude you must possess if you wish to achieve success in your life. This attitude is the asset of every achiever, and of every history-maker, that has walked on this planet.

This kind of attitude is essential and non-negotiable to everybody who wishes to do anything of significance in his or her life.

It is the attitude of being immovable. This word refers to one of the most critically important character traits for those who want to please God and do something noteworthy in their lives.

Being steadfast and immovable means several things:

• It means not easily shaken or affected
• It describes something that is not unpredictable
• To have a strong and unbending character

This attitude says: "I am not moving until I see my dream come to pass!"

This is the right way to respond when we face a challenge.

"Who cares?" is the prevalent attitude nowadays.

Don't allow yourself to be inconsistent and wavering in your commitment to accomplish your God-given assignment.

"I wish I could be that strong, but I have such a weak character!" This thought might be crossing your mind while you read this message.

Being steadfast is not something you are or are not. It is not a character trait you are born with. It is a decision.

You simply decide not to quit, - and that's that!

Author Info:

All of us have come to a point where we are on the verge of giving up on something we had high expectations on. The good news is that we can learn how to have a stronger character! I'd like to invite you to visit http://www.Self-DirectedLearningForSuccess.com for tips and tools for creating and growing in your own learning process. Learn how to teach yourself in my FREE e-book: "The Power of Self-Directed Learning", and my FREE e-course: "Seven Steps to Consistently Change Your Life."

From Bettina Langerfeldt, who teaches people how to pursue their God-given gifts and talents by designing their own education with self-directed learning.

© 2008 Freedompioneer

Avoid Used Home School Curriculum Buying Blunders!

Looking to save on your home school expenses? Have home school budget constraints?

Buying used home school curriculum is probably one of the best ways to save money on your home schooling expenses... Or is it?

In our effort to save money and use our limited financial resources wisely, we often look for deals, discounts and bargains.

But sometimes these sweet buys can turn sour...

• Items arriving late, or not at all.
• Buying damaged products with missing lessons.
• Or, purchasing the wrong materials.

It all adds up to wasted time and money!

If you are not careful, purchasing used home school curriculum could actually cost more than buying brand new materials.

Over the years, I admit that I have made my share of purchasing blunders while trying to stretch our home school budget.

I have bought the wrong items, wrong grades, wrong textbooks, and wrong editions for our curriculum.
I have purchased items and not received them from the seller. I have received items that didn't match their description, stunk like cigarette smoke, were missing entire lessons and filled with writing.

Everyone's standards are different. A little writing to one person may be a lot to someone else.

When you have financial constraints and a budget to keep, you can find many ways to save money on home schooling material. Purchasing used curriculum could save you a boatload of money, but may not always be the best solution.

If you decide to purchase used home school curriculum, here are some helpful tips to guide you when purchasing used educational materials, so you can avoid my book buying bloopers.

Buy the set instead of individual items.

Don't buy used teachers guides, solutions manuals, student workbooks, tests and test answer keys separately, unless you know exactly what you need. You may experience difficulty finding certain items from older editions or never find the exact missing piece you need.

Spend the extra money and purchase all course components together, as a set.

Make sure your editions match.

If you don't purchase the correct editions, i.e. matching teacher's manuals and workbooks, etc. you can waste your precious time, and your hard earned money!

When you purchase different editions, most often the questions and answers don't match and you will waste more time trying to figure out the answers to the questions.

Avoid the headache - make sure your editions match!

Don't get sucked into the auction feeding frenzy.

Ask questions and do your research.

During my eBay excursions, I have seen used curriculum sell for more than the retail price!

With a little research, you will know what a product really costs. You will make wiser decisions, save money easier and become a savvy shopper.

Buy from sellers who have a good reputation or ratings.

Buying sight unseen takes some faith in the person you are purchasing from. You are trusting that they are honest and have your best interest at heart.

Unfortunately, not everyone is honest.

Look for testimonials from happy customers. Happy customers tell others.

You may find less hassle, increased confidence and a better shopping experience when purchasing new or used materials through a trusted home school curriculum provider.

Purchasing used home school curriculum can be fun, rewarding and money-saving. You meet other home schoolers and recycle some still usable educational materials.

But many small mistakes can add up so...

Used home school curriculum buyers - beware!

Author Info:

You can homeschool your child successfully and affordably! From her personal experience as a home educator and group leader, Heather Gneco shares valuable insight to help you increase time, save money and provide your children the best homeschool experience possible. For more homeschooling success tips, visit:
http://www.homeschool-curriculum-savings.com